These powerful compounds provide protection against various cardiometabolic problems and reduce the risk of metabolic syndrome by as much as 23%.
That’s according to researchers from the University of São Paulo’s Medical School (FM-USP) in Brazil, who ran the largest study in the world to associate the effect of consuming polyphenols with protection against cardiometabolic problems.
The study assessed more than 6,000 Brazilians, with data taken from ELSA-Brazil, a longitudinal adult health survey that has tracked more than 15,000 public servants from six Brazilian universities and research institutions since 2008.
Rising problem: metabolic syndrome
Metabolic syndrome, a cluster of metabolic abnormalities and hormone alterations, is the main risk factor for cardiovascular disease (including heart attacks and strokes).
It is usually defined by the presence of symptoms including increased waist size, elevated blood triglycerides, low HDL cholesterol, high blood pressure and elevated blood sugar.
Metabolic syndrome also increases the risk of diabetes, liver and kidney disease and sleep apnea.
The prevalence of metabolic syndrome is rising globally at epidemic proportions. In Brazil, it rose from 29.6% in 2013 to 33% in 2022, according to previous studies.
Polyphenols are found across various foods: in fact, more than 8,000 have been identified in nature. The bioactive compounds have anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
The best known are phenolic acids (found in coffee and wine) and stilbenes (found in red grapes and red wine).
The Brazilian study looked at participants’ dietary habits, the frequency at which they ate polyphenol-rich foods, and the effects of different cooking and processing methods.
Consumption of polyphenols from different foods at the highest estimated level (469mg per day) reduced the risk of developing metabolic syndrome by 23%, compared with lower polyphenol consumption (177mg per day).
Consumption of phenolic acids reduced the risk by a similar amount.
Industry opportunities
The large-scale study could help inform public health guidelines when it comes to diets and recommendations, say researchers.
“These findings suggest that promoting polyphenol-rich diets could be a valuable strategy in reducing cardiometabolic risk and preventing MetS in the population, potentially informing dietary guidelines and public health interventions,” said Isabela Benseñor, co-author of the article and professor at the University of São Paulo’s Medical School (FM-USP) in Brazil.
But furthermore, they could also tap into the booming gut health trend.
The researchers found that the diversity of foods is also important when it comes to their capacity to modulate the gut microbiota – stimulating the growth of probiotic bacteria.
The prebiotic effect of polyphenols is largely associated with the establishment of probiotics or suppression of pathogenic bacteria, resulting in reduced endotoxins that induce proinflammatory immune response in the gut, and other health benefits.
“The more diverse a person’s dietary intake and sources of polyphenols, the better the effect on their gut microbiota and hence on their overall health,” said Benseñor.
Polyphenols are becoming better known by consumers and there’s an opportunity for brands to use and highlight their presence.
Ryl Sweet Tea, for example, is packed with 200mg of tea polyphenols for an antioxidant boost. The brand’s proprietary Ryl Polyphenol Technology ensures consistent dosing and optimized antioxidant delivery.
And beverage giant Suntory has been researching polyphenols extensively for decades. It launched Kuro Oolong Tea in Japan: noting that one of the biggest difficulties was to identify the numerous oolong tea polyphenols and demonstrate their efficacy.
It took two years to secure FOSHU (Food for Specified Health Uses) approval, and four years between product conception and launch.
